February 8, 2008
The University of Manitoba has signed a 5-year agreement with Navitas, an Australian for-profit education company, to create the International College Manitoba, an international university transfer program. The uManitoba Faculty Association and the Canadian Union of Public Employees have voiced concerns over this move toward privatization of PSE, and a possible two-tier education system. Navitas also runs Fraser International College in partnership with Simon Fraser University, and has a third contract to create McMaster University College, awaiting Senate approval at McMaster University.
The 10 recipients of the prestigious 3M National Teaching Fellowships have been announced. The award is unique in Canada, and recognizes individuals who "demonstrate exceptionally high leadership and commitment to university teaching." Faculty at Simon Fraser University, University of New Brunswick (Saint John), Universite de Montreal, Mount Allison University, Memorial University, King’s University College, the University of British Columbia, McMaster University, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Western Ontario were this year's winners.
The university student issue of
Maclean’s magazine hits the stands this week, and "87,000 undergrads have their say." The editors apparently reviewed NSSE and CUSC survey results, and conclude
"many Canadian university campuses are not as engaging and may not be offering as good an educational experience as their American peers. And the problem is particularly pronounced at Canada's large research universities." A new Statistics Canada report reveals that Canadian universities set a record high for enrolment in the 2005-2006 year. International and young students were largely credited for the increase. 1.05 million students registered for classes, a 3% increase from 2004-2005, the fifth consecutive record-setting year, and the seventh straight year where the number of degrees, diplomas and certificates increased.
The University of Lethbridge announced yesterday that it has exceeded its $20 million fundraising goal by more than $15 million. The "Legacy of Leadership" campaign was launched in 2005 to raise funds to increase educational opportunities, build state-of-the-art facilities, and to continue to provide necessary resources to its community. "This campaign has truly had a transformational effect on the university."
Neven Belic, the "Durham College Shooter," has been sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 18 years. "Mr. Belic has an extensive criminal record reflecting violence, the use of guns and illicit drugs." Belic has been found guilty by jury for the shooting and murder of Eugene Moses, who was shot in a campus pub in 2004.
When harsh weather hit Simon Fraser University Wednesday night, public transportation and evening classes were cancelled. The university's gym was opened to students who were left without a way home -- as many as 2,000 students were still on campus 4 hours after buses were cancelled. 65 spots were found in campus dorms and made available to students and faculty. Blankets, towels and sleeping pads were collected to accommodate additional students in the gym.
The Universite de Montreal has launched a new microsite for its Office of Development and Alumni Relations (BDRD). The site has been given a fresh look, new content and promises to be more accessible and user friendly, in order to better provide essential information to donors.
The University of Guelph has announced a new degree that will apparently be the first of its kind in Canada. The new degree in Environmental Governance will give students the "tools and knowledge needed to participate effectively in environmental decision-making" in government, NGO and private industry environments. Some universities currently offer courses on the topic, but Guelph is the first to offer a degree program focused exclusively on EG.
Memorial University students might want to be on the look out for blade-wielding, self-replicating creatures on campus -- but they shouldn't be alarmed.
Screamers 2, a feature-length science fiction film, is currently being shot in St. John's and is scheduled to make a few stops near Memorial's engineering building. Student Stephen Dunn has been cast in the film.
rtraction